Lithography is a technique for printing on a smooth surface. It can be used to print text or artwork onto paper or one more apt material. It can as well refer to photolithography, a microfabrication method used to construct integrated circuits and microelectromechanical systems. Lithography works due to the revulsion of oil and water. Lithography was invented by Alois Senefelder in 1798.
Lithography is a printing method that uses chemical processes to create an image. For instance, the positive part of an image would be a hydrophobic chemical, whereas the negative image would be water. Therefore, when the plate is introduced to a companionable ink and water mixture, the ink will stick to the positive image and the water will clean the negative image. This lets for a reasonably flat print plate which allows for much longer runs than the older physical methods of imaging (e.g., embossing or engraving). Existing high-volume lithography is used to make posters, books, newspapers, packaging, credit cards, decorated CDs – just regarding any smooth, mass-produced item with print on it.
